Selections from the Speeches and Writings | Page 6

Edmund Burke
the
weapons of sarcasm and irony, with a keenness of application and
effect rarely equalled. But, in all candour, it may be added, that just as a
profusion of figures and metaphors sometimes tempted this great orator
into incongruous images and coarse analogies, so his passion for irony
was occasionally too intense. Hence, there are occasions where his
pungency is embittered into acrimony, strength degenerates into
vulgarism, and the vehemence of satire is infuriated with the fierceness
of invective.
7. With regard to language and style, it may be truly said, they were the
absolute vassals of his Genius, and did homage to its command in
every possible mode by which it chose to employ them. Thus, in his
"Letters on a Regicide Peace," and above all, in "French Revolutions,"
the reader will find almost every conceivable manner of style and mode
of expression the English language can develop; and what is
more,--together with classical richness, there are also the pointed
seriousness and persuasive simplicity of our own vernacular Saxon,
which increase the attractions of Burke's style to a wonderful extent.
But, beyond controversy, among these great endowments, the

imaginative faculty is that which appears to be the most transcendent in
the mental constitution of Burke. And so truly is this the case, that both
among his contemporaries, as well as among his successors, this
predominance of imagination has caused his just claims as a
philosophic thinker and statesman to be partially overlooked. The union
of ideal theory and practical realisation, of imaginative creation with
logical induction, is indeed so rare, we cannot be surprised at the
injustice which the genius of Burke has had to endure in this respect.
And yet, in the nature of our faculties themselves, there exists no
necessity why a vivid power to conceive ideas, should NOT be
combined with a dialectic skill in expressing them. Degerando, an
admirable French writer, in one of his Treatises, has some profound
observations on this subject; and does not hesitate to define poetry
itself as a species of "logique cachee."
But when we assert that these excellencies, which have thus been
succinctly exhibited, characterise the mental constitution of Burke, we
do not mean that others have not, in their degree, possessed similar
endowments. Such an inference would be an absurd extravagance. But
what we mean to affirm is--the qualifications enumerated have never
been combined into co-operative harmony, and developed in
proportionable effect, as they appear in the speeches and writings of
this wonderful man. But after all, we have not reached what may be
considered a peerless excellence, the peculiar gift,--the one great and
glorious distinction, which separates Burke's oratory from that of all
others, and which has caused his speeches to be blended with political
History, and to incorporate themselves with the moral destiny of
Europe,--namely, HIS INTUITIVE PERCEPTION OF UNIVERSAL
PRINCIPLES. The truth of this statement may be verified, by
comparing the eloquence of Burke with specimens of departed orators;
or by a reference to existing standards in the parliamentary debates.
Compared, then, either with the speeches of Chatham, Holland, Pitt,
Fox, etc. etc., we perceive at once the grand distinction to which we
refer. These illustrious men were effective debaters, and, in various
senses, orators of surpassing excellency. But how is it, that with all
their allowed grandeur of intellect and political eminence, they have
ceased to operate upon the hearts and minds of the present Age, either
as teachers of political Truth, or oracles of legislative Wisdom? Simply,

BECAUSE they were too popular in temporary effect, ever to become
influential by permanent inspiration. In their highest moods, and amid
their noblest hours of triumph, they were "of the earth earthy." Party;
personality; crushing rejoinders, or satirical attacks; a felicitous
exposure of inconsistency, or a triumphant self-vindication; brilliant
repartees, and logical gladiatorship,--such are among the prominent
characteristics which caused parliamentary debates in Burke's day to be
so animating and interesting to those who heard, or perused them, amid
the excitements of the hour. It is not to be denied that commanding
eloquence, vast genius, political ardour, intellectual enthusiasm,
together with indignant denunciation and argumentative subtlety, were
thus summoned into exercise by the perils of the Nation, and the
contentions of Party. Nevertheless, the local, the temporal, the
conventional, and the individual, in all which relates to the science of
politics or the tactics of partisanship,--are sufficient to excite and
employ the energies and qualities which made the general
parliamentary debates of Burke's period so captivating. But when we
revert to his own speeches and writings, we at once perceive WHY, as
long as the mind can comprehend what is true, the heart appreciate
what is pure, or the conscience authenticate the sanction of heaven and
the distinctions between right and wrong,--Edmund Burke will
continue to be admired,
Continue reading on your phone by scaning this QR Code

 / 205
Tip: The current page has been bookmarked automatically. If you wish to continue reading later, just open the Dertz Homepage, and click on the 'continue reading' link at the bottom of the page.